Levemir, NPH, Lantus?

[aharris2]

What do you use as your long acting insulin? How is it working for you and any problems? Have you switched from something else and, if so, why?

We are debating a switch and are looking for other people's experiences, both good and bad.
 

[Chris]

I was on PH since I was 7 till I was 28 before going on the pump. I never had a problem with it, but have recently been reading where people have problems with it and are switched to a different brand or a different type of long acting insulin. Sometimes the same type of insulin from 2 diferent manufactures can act differently on a person. From what I am reading in the doctors offices on diabetes, it seems the go to long acting insulin is Lantus because of better glucose control compared to NPH. I guess it is like when there was only Regular Insulin and then came Humalog (Eli Lilly) insulin (Novalog by Novartis).
 
And as usual, consut your physician efore any change

[Kitty Cat]

I know it's been a long time since this topic was started, I've been on the Lantus solostar pen for 2 wks now. I'm not seeing any results. My sugar is higher than what it should be, don't know why but I do have an appt with my doc next Thurs, this will be my number 1 topic. My sugars were down to around the low 100's, but now they're up to 140ish since I started the insulin. I am very good about making sure the injection is 7pm, every single night. Has anybody else had this type of problem? Or maybe even a solution, I could be doing something wrong....

[Chris]

I know it's been a long time since this topic was started, I've been on the Lantus solostar pen for 2 wks now. I'm not seeing any results. My sugar is higher than what it should be, don't know why but I do have an appt with my doc next Thurs, this will be my number 1 topic. My sugars were down to around the low 100's, but now they're up to 140ish since I started the insulin. I am very good about making sure the injection is 7pm, every single night. Has anybody else had this type of problem? Or maybe even a solution, I could be doing something wrong....

Not sure this will apply to you, but when I saw my bs elevate when I took shots and used pens, ver time I had scar tissue (that is was the doctor told me) build up due to overuse of the area. I only used my arms and thighs until I was on the pump. Other than that, it maybe the insulin dosage, then type is my experience.

[aharris2]

I know it's been a long time since this topic was started, I've been on the Lantus solostar pen for 2 wks now. I'm not seeing any results. My sugar is higher than what it should be, don't know why but I do have an appt with my doc next Thurs, this will be my number 1 topic. My sugars were down to around the low 100's, but now they're up to 140ish since I started the insulin. I am very good about making sure the injection is 7pm, every single night. Has anybody else had this type of problem? Or maybe even a solution, I could be doing something wrong....

What were you using before and where were you injecting it? I am with Chris - maybe your dosage simply needs to be adjusted upward a little.

[Kitty Cat]

Thanks for the replies. I'm very new at insulin, prior to this I was strictly pills. But we couldn't get my numbers under control by using pills only.

I alternate sites, the doc told me about that, maybe this is why my doc wanted me back in after 3 wks to adjust if necessary. This morning it was crazy high (194), but I haven't done anything different as far as eating, I've been drinking more ice water but that's about it.

[Chris]

I am not familiar how type 2 diabetes is treated, just know basics. However one thought is if type 2 diabetics can use this insulin is the fast reacting time to lower blood sugar. There is R - Regular that takes 30 min to an hour to start being effective, then there is the ultra fast reacting Humalog (Eli Lilly/ Novalog ( forgot brand now, starts with N) that starts being effective within 15 minutes. So that maybe something to ask if you do not know, but not sure how that reacts with one taking pills also.

[Kitty Cat]

This is all good to know, thank you so much for the response. I will talk to my doc on Thursday but I think you're right that it needs to be increased. I've done some reading but I can't find anything definitive.